Letters to the editor: 10/24

Write-in winners grateful for support

On Sept. 10, registered Conservative Party members in the Town of Beekman came out in force to vote in a primary election for the open positions of supervisor and for the two Town Board seats. The unique part of this process is that the names of certain candidates appeared on the ballot, as did an empty box where any name could be written in. The undersigned candidates did not appear on the ballot in any capacity, and our sole path to victory would have been a successful write-in campaign. While not impossible, this type of campaign can be challenging.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Conservative Party voters in Beekman who overwhelmingly and resoundingly voiced their support for each of us by writing our names in on the ballot. With your support, we were victorious by very respectable margins. As a result, we will also be running for our respective positions on the Conservative line in the general election Nov. 5. We again ask for your support in November, and if elected, we pledge to work hard for the residents of Beekman.

Barbara A. Zulauf

Ezio Battaglini

Michael G. Del Vecchio

Beekman

Gelb, Spinzia have improved Rhinebeck

I have served on the Rhinebeck Town Board with Joe Gelb for the past four years and with Elizabeth Spinzia for two. It has been a pleasure to work with Joe, and I greatly admire him. He is smart and works very hard on Town Board matters. Joe is responsible for much of what the Town Board has accomplished in the past four years. As a retired attorney, he brings unique skills and judgment to the Town Board. Though I am not running again, I am very pleased that Joe has chosen to run for another four-year term. If Joe is re-elected, with Elizabeth as supervisor and Elaine Fernandez ready to hit the ground running, Rhinebeck will be well served. Elizabeth works well with all parties and is solely responsible for the attitudinal shift in town hall. Employees, constituents and committees rightly hold her in high regard. I think everyone acknowledges that we are the envy of the county having Kathy Kinsella as highway superintendent.

This board has worked very well together for the past two years, and with the stability and dedication that Joe, Elizabeth, Kathy and Bruce Washburn bring, I know that Rhinebeck will be in the best hands possible. Please vote on Nov. 5.

Gina Walker Fox

Rhinebeck

Shershin, Crisafulli have ideas for fire savings

In the Town of Poughkeepsie, we have two outstanding candidates for Town Board. Ann Shershin is seeking re-election in the 6th Ward, and Laura Crisafulli is our candidate in the 3rd Ward. Shershin and Crisafulli will solve tough issues with good ideas and your support.

The AFDReporter has been chronicling what can only be described as the unapologetic disregard of taxpayers by the Arlington Fire District (AFD). Shershin and Crisafulli understand the town's ability to affect the AFD budget is limited but not entirely without recourse. Since 70 percent of all AFD calls are emergency medical services (EMS) calls - not fire-related - the town can remove the onus of providing EMS services from AFD by contracting with a private ambulance company, as is done in the Town of Wappinger. Private companies cost significantly less per EMS call and their services are paid for by insurance and Medicare, not tax dollars. Both Shershin and Crisafulli want the transfer of EMS responsibility done through the cooperation and in negotiation with AFD in order to assure residents the same quality of service and tax savings.

Vote for Ann Shershin and Laura Crisafulli on Nov 5.

Gary Levine

Chair, Town of Poughkeepsie Democratic Committee

Poughkeepsie

LaRocca will work hardest for city

Anthony LaRocca, candidate for 8th Ward council member, is the best person for the job. I know Anthony as one of the hardest-working men I've ever met. I know that whatever he does as an elected person will be the best experience for the City of Poughkeepsie. Anthony doesn't know the meaning of part time. He will be all in and give the city every ounce of effort he can muster.

Dawn Lewis

Poughkeepsie

Kogon offers courage, intelligence for Clinton

I encourage all residents of Clinton to vote for Alyssa Kogon to be our next town supervisor. I've known Alyssa for many years. She is intelligent and courageous. Her pro-action is evident. She was the first person to step forward and state concerns about our town's mounting debt and dwindling town services. She is committed to bringing positive change to our beautiful town. She believes in clear and open communication between our government and residents. She will work tirelessly to restore the trust and good spirit that have been lost. A vote for Alyssa Kogon is a very smart choice.

Carol Yakubowski

Clinton Hollow

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Letters to the editor: 10/24

On Sept. 10, registered Conservative Party members in the Town of Beekman came out in force to vote in a primary election for the open positions of supervisor and for the two Town Board seats.